Floral Arrangement Fundamentals With Fox Fodder Farm

Rip & Tan: Tell us about the flowers you chose for the Amagansett Wellness Retreat workshop. Why did you choose these specific varieties? Any good alternatives if we can’t find these exact florals?

Fox Fodder Farm: I chose all seasonal and New York grown flowers. We had dahlias from the North Fork, zinnias and cosmos from Amagansett, plus Queen Anne’s lace scabiosa and feather celosia from upstate. I think the thing that’s most important is to choose items that are of the season and locally grown. An arrangement is simply a celebration of nature, so look at what’s growing around you.

Rip & Tan: From location to seasonality, what should we look for when sourcing flowers?

Fox Fodder Farm: Buy your flowers from a florist or farmstand that you know is sourcing locally grown flowers. Other than that, it’s important to get brushed on up what flowers are in season at that time. Any quick search on Google will give you the big hitters of any season.

Rip & Tan: Do you have any preference on the type of vase or vessel used? Are there any other tools we should have on hand to build the best possible arrangement?

Fox Fodder Farm: I think everyone should own at least one beautiful ceramic vase that you’re happy to have on the shelf—even when there’s nothing in it. A round body with a narrower neck is a classic shape that’s always easy to work with, and I always love the pieces created by artists Yoon Young Hur. They’re works of art first and vessels second. I also think it’s important to have a good pair of clippers on hand. My go-to pair is by the ARS brand.

Rip & Tan: From the number of flowers to include to the placement in the vase, what are a few of your top tips and tricks for someone starting an arrangement from scratch?

Fox Fodder Farm: Keep it simple! Don’t try to overload with too many types of flowers, and don’t overstuff the vase with too many stems. Be sure that your flowers have room to breathe. Always clean the stems of any leaves that will be below the waterline and cut the stems on an angle immediately before placing them in water.

Rip & Tan: Do you have any words of advice for those new to the arranging game?

Fox Fodder Farm: I think if you’re wanting to do a mixed arrangement but are unsure where to begin, decide what you want your focal flower to be and also what aesthetic you’re trying to achieve. Is it wild and whispy or clean and structural?

From there start by choosing three elements: a base foliage or branch, a focal flower, and an accent flower. Always add your elements in groups of three to five stems at a time. It will help give structure and organization to your composition as you build instead of adding one of this and one of that.

Rip & Tan: Is there anything to keep in mind when it comes to proportions, colors, and scale?

Fox Fodder Farm: When it comes to flowers, no matter what you do, they will always be beautiful. For events, I love a big mixed arrangement like the next person, but for my home, I like to keep it simple. Taste is personal, though, and what works for me may not be what you’re looking for. Choose colors that compliment (whatever that means for you), proportions that are pleasing to your eye, and a scale that fits the space where you’ll be placing the arrangement. But most importantly, just have fun.